PAIGNTON Zoo is celebrating the birth of four rare tiger cubs.

The Sumatran tiger cubs were born overnight on Wednesday, but keepers have been giving new mum Banda some breathing space to allow for bonding.

They will keep their distance over the next few weeks to give Banda and her cubs as much peace and quiet as possible.

A zoo spokesman said: "Mother Banda and cubs will spend the next month hidden from view. All being well, the cubs could be on show within four to six weeks.

"Zoo staff are working to erect video screens to show recorded footage of the youngsters in the den.

"This is great news for the survival of this amazing species, and it's great news for our visitors, too.

"This summer will be a competitive one for all visitor attractions but the prospect of tiger cubs is thrilling and will be yet another good reason to visit Paignton Zoo."

Tiger cubs typically weigh about 1 kilo, or 2lbs at birth. They live on mother's milk or six to eight weeks before moving on to meat and are dependant on their mother for about a year and a half.

Curator of mammals Neil Bemment said: "While visitors cannot see the cubs yet, we wanted to share our good news. Banda is mothering well.

"We hope the youngsters will be out and about by Easter.

"In the meantime, we hope to put up video screens to show recorded clips of the new arrivals in the den."

The zoo spokesman said: "It is important not to get human scent on the cubs if they are vet checked.

"They will have vaccinations at 10-12 weeks, 16 weeks, six months and one year and be micro chipped at 10-12 weeks."

This litter is Banda's second with Tenang.The first was born in May 2006 and they were the first tigers to be born at Paignton since 1988.

Male cub Topan sadly died of a heart condition and female Kirana left Paignton for Chester Zoo in October last year.

Paignton Zoo is a member of the European breeding programme for Sumatran tigers, which means it is part of the global effort to save this endangered species from extinction.

Captive and wild populations are protected and managed in an attempt to prevent Sumatran tigers being wiped out following the Bali and Javan tigers becoming extinct.